Should Social Work take an interest in Analytical Theory?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15257/ehquidad.2026.0017Keywords:
Analytical Theory, Social Work, social mechanisms, causal explanation, methodological individualismAbstract
This article offers a theoretical reflection on Social Work from the perspective of Analytical Theory, aiming to strengthen its scientific and epistemological foundations. It argues that analysis through social mechanisms—focused on agents’ actions, beliefs, desires, and opportunities—enables a more precise and in-depth understanding of social phenomena, going beyond merely descriptive or correlational approaches.
The methodology used is theoretical-conceptual, based on a critical review of authors such as Elster, Hedström, Boudon, and Coleman, among others. Through the study of explanatory models and levels of causality, an analytical framework is constructed that links individual action with aggregated social effects, particularly useful in open and dynamic contexts faced by Social Work.
Among the most relevant findings, the usefulness of this perspective is highlighted for breaking down complex processes into intelligible elements, facilitating both understanding and professional intervention. Different types of mechanisms—subintentional, superintentional, and intentional—are identified and their effects on social practice are analyzed.
It is concluded that Social Work can significantly benefit from Analytical Theory by incorporating tools that allow for a more rigorous and clear explanation of social reality. This proposal encourages moving beyond idealized views of the discipline and advancing toward a more critical, well-founded, and transformative professional practice.
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